Gamestop Amazon is facing an online backlash for its criticism Tomb Raider TV series. The retailer questioned Sophie Turner's suitability for the role of Lara Croft, prompting widespread derision from social media users who began to jab at GameStop for weighing in on the casting.
After two years of development difficulties, Amazon confirmed that it is moving forward with its live-action Tomb Raider TV series in September 2025, with Game of Thrones Sophie Turner stars in the lead role. In mid-January 2026, Amazon MGM Studios shared Turner's first look as Lara Croft, featuring the 29-year-old actress in the iconic tail top associated with the character.
PSA: You can already unlock one of the most popular costumes for Lara Croft's Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis
Tomb Raider fans looking to prepare for Legacy of Atlantis, the 2026 remake of the original game, can do so by unlocking the classic Lara look early.
GameStop announced in a bizarre tweet that Sophie Turner is not Lara Croft
On January 15, the official GameStop Twitter account retweeted the first photo of Sophie Turner as Lara Croft, declaring, “This is not Lara Croft.” The post prompted widespread backlash from social media users, with many questioning why the company chose to comment. “Silence, brand,” reads one highly shared response from Twitter user Infinitethird, with hundreds of others echoing the same sentiment.
Some fans responded with more pointed derision of GameStop. Twitter user CodyLeachYT, for example, shared several photos of GameStop shelves filled with cups, backpacks and Funko Pops with the caption: “This is not a gaming store.” The post, a direct riff on GameStop's original tweet, received 144,000 likes and more than 6,200 retweets within 24 hours of being posted on January 16. As such, its engagement has surpassed GameStop's original post, with 30,000 likes and 40,800 hits since its debut. CodyLeachYT's joke sparked a flurry of public reactions urging GameStop to focus on staying in business instead of commenting. Tomb Raider television series.
Based on GameStop's social media track record, it's possible that its “this isn't Lara Croft” comment was intended as a joke rather than a serious criticism of Turner or the upcoming TV show. However, the controversial retailer did not elaborate on his controversial tweet in any shape or form. As noted by Screen Rant, many social media users took GameStop's message at face value, inferring that the retailer was “anger-inciting”.
The Tomb Raider TV show is currently filming
Principal photography in live-action Tomb Raider The series officially began on Thursday, January 15. The show is being filmed at Shepperton Studios, located 15 miles southwest of London and the UK capital. Based on typical turnaround times for modern big-budget productions of this type, the first season of the live-action series should be ready to air by 2027. No additional seasons have been ordered yet. The show will be available exclusively on Prime Video.
Besides Turner, The Tomb Raider The live-action series has confirmed more than half a dozen other casting options so far, including Sigourney Weaver as Evelyn Wallis and Martin Bob-Sample as Zip. Jason Isaacs will portray Lara's uncle Atlas de Mornay, while legendary Scottish actor Bill Patterson has been cast as her loyal butler Winston. Amazon MGM Studios also signed British actor John Heffernan (Dickensian, Becoming Elizabeth) as David, described as a brand new character who gets caught up in Lara's latest adventure.
The Tomb Raider leads the series Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny star Phoebe Waller-Bridge, who serves as both its showrunner and executive producer. The award-winning actress, screenwriter, and filmmaker has previously earned three Primetime Emmys and two Golden Globes, among many other accolades. Turner recently praised Waller-Bridge's contribution to the show, saying her involvement in the project means everyone on board is in “very safe hands”.
- showrunner
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Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Chad Hodge
- The authors
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Phoebe Waller-Bridge
